We’re Sydney and Austin a pair of 31‑year‑old high school sweethearts turned husband and wife who have never really fit into any mold, box, or tidy little category. That’s actually where the name Northern Outcasts came from. We’ve always done life our own way, with a little red‑neck ingenuity, a lot of impulsive decisions, and the kind of teamwork that comes from growing up together.
For years, our shared hobby was repurposing furniture. We spent countless weekends sanding, painting, and flipping old pieces into something new. I even had a booth in a vendor‑mall/ antique store with my mother‑in‑love — a fun, sometimes messy, creative chapter that taught us how much we love working side by side.
But if you know us, you know we’re happiest when we have something to learn, something to build, and something to laugh our way through. That’s how BBQ became part of our story. It wasn’t a grand plan, just something we genuinely enjoy doing together. We love good food, good people, and a good challenge, and BBQ gives us all three. We want to grow, compete, get better, and help others feel confident trying new things right along with us.
I (Sydney) grew up competing with my dad, Chris, under the team name Brown Chicken Brown Cow. Those weekends were full of smoke, laughter, and memories that stuck with me. Austin joined us toward the end, and even though he didn’t grow up in the BBQ world, he fit right in; steady, patient, and always willing to learn.
Our personalities couldn’t be more opposite, and that’s exactly why we work. I’m the wild, loud, chaos‑thriving half of this duo — the one who loves our three dogs like they’re actual children. Luna (9) is the princess, Stella (7) is the quiet troublemaker, and Moose (3) is the lovable tornado who keeps us humble. I’m a full‑blown dog mom, and I don’t pretend otherwise.
Austin is the calm to my storm. He likes peace, quiet, clean spaces, and things that make sense. He’s organized, thoughtful, and deaf, which adds its own layer of teamwork, humor, and patience to our everyday life. He also loves RC cars and occasionally competes in small crawling competitions. It lets him live out all the wild, adrenaline‑filled things he dreams of doing… while still satisfying my need for him to stay safely on the ground.
Together, we’re a blend of chaos and calm, structure and spontaneity, clean counters and dog hair. We don’t match on paper, but in real life, we fit exactly right.
Northern Outcasts BBQ is simply an extension of who we are — two people who love a challenge, love good company, and love learning as we go. We’re here to share our journey, our mistakes, our wins, and the things we pick up along the way. If our story helps someone else try something new, feel a little braver, or laugh at their own chaos, then that’s a win in our book.
Thanks for being here! There’s plenty of room in our car, and we’re excited to have you along for the ride.